The Chromecast is a handy device with which you can make practically any TV smarter. Tens of millions of Chromecasts have now been sold worldwide. After years of using Chromecast, I have gained a lot of experience with it. In this article I answer the question: Buy Chromecast, which one should you take?
Which Chromecast to buy? The best Chromecast to buy right now in terms of price is the Chromecast with Google TV HD. However, if you want to stream in 4K and also use a remote control, it is better to opt for the Chromecast with Google TV.
Chromecast: small but brilliant
I remember it well: the launch of the Chromecast in 2013, when Google revealed all the details about this little streaming device. What we didn't know then was that tens of millions would be sold worldwide.
The Google Chromecast basically makes any TV (or other device) with an HDMI connection smart. This makes it possible to stream all kinds of content via, for example Netflix, Youtube, Video country, Twitch, Spotify and many other services
A lot has changed and improved in recent years and this article will help you answer the question: which Chromecast to buy?
Of course you don't have to believe me on my blue eyes, but I've extensively tested and used all Chromecasts since 2013 (even the Chromecast Audio), so read on.
The very first Chromecast…
This is the very first Google Chromecast that was launched in 2013. The basics are still the same: you open an app and press the cast icon and the Chromecast does the rest. This was the start of a revolution that eventually resulted in several new versions of the Chromecast.
Chromecast with Google TV HD
Affordable Chromecast including remote control and app. Also possible to install apps.
- Operate via app and remote control
- Install apps on Chromecast
- Stream in full HD
💡 There are regular Chromecast offers, so always check where it is cheapest, also check our price comparator!
Buy Chromecast: an overview of the different models
To start with an overview of the various Chromecasts that are currently for sale in the Netherlands and Belgium. Of course there are more Chromecast, but in this overview I have limited myself to the Chromecast 4 (with Google TV), Chromecast Ultra and the 'regular' Chromecast (V3).
Bol.com
MediaMarkt
Coolblue
Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
Features
full HD video (60fps)
HDR 10
Remote control
Wi-Fi ac (2.4 and 5GHz)
+ Control via remote control + app
+ Connect via power supply
Full HD (60fps)
HDR10 +
Connectivity/connection
wifi ac (2.4 and 5GHz)
HDMI and USB-C
Dimensions
162,5 x 61 x 12,5 mm
55 gram
Power cable: 2m
In the box
chromecast
Power cable (USB-C)
Power adapter (USB)
Remote control
AA batteries (2x)
Requirements
TV with HDMI
Wi-Fi
Supported Wi-Fi enabled device (smartphone or tablet)
Streaming
Netflix, Videoland, YouTube, Spotify, Prime and many others
Year of launch
2022
Price comparison ↓
Bol.com
MediaMarkt
Expert
Wehkamp
BCC
Chromecast with Google TV
Features
4K Video (60fps)
HDR 10 +
Android TV
Remote control
Wi-Fi ac (2.4 and 5GHz)
+ Including remote control
+ Android TV (and therefore a TV screen interface)
+ Suitable for Google Stadia (gaming)
4K (60fps)
HDR10 +
Connectivity/connection
wifi ac (2.4 and 5GHz)
Bluetooth
HDMI and USB-C
Google Assistant
Dimensions
162 x 61 x 12.5 mm
55 gram
Power cable: 2m
In the box
chromecast
Power cable (USB-C)
Power adapter (USB)
Remote control
AA batteries (2x)
Requirements
TV with HDMI
Wi-Fi
Supported Wi-Fi enabled device (smartphone or tablet)
Streaming
Netflix, Videoland, YouTube, Spotify, Prime and many others
Year of launch
2020
Price comparison ↓
Bol.com
MediaMarkt
Coolblue
BCC
Expert
Wehkamp
chromecast
Features:
Full HD video (60fps)
Operate via app
Wi-Fi ac (2.4 and 5GHz)
+ Control via app
+ Connect via USB to TV or mains
Full HD (60fps)
Connectivity/connection
wifi ac (2.4 and 5GHz)
HDMI and microUSB
Dimensions
520 x 138 x 519 mm
55 gram
Power cable: 1,52m
In the box
chromecast
Power cable (micro USB)
Power adapter (USB)
Requirements
TV with HDMI
Wi-Fi
Supported Wi-Fi enabled device (smartphone or tablet)
Streaming
Netflix, Videoland, YouTube, Spotify, Prime and many others
Year of launch
2018
Price comparison ↓
How exactly does a Chromecast work?
The Chromecast is a small device that needs to be connected to the HDMI port of your TV (or monitor) and requires power via USB/wall socket.
This is also one of the reasons why the Google Chromecast is so successful: it can be used in a huge number of places, because HDMI is a commonly used connection.
Then you get started with the Install Chromecast and you can get started. The Chromecast makes it possible to send videos or photos to the big screen, for example. Think for example of Netflix, YouTube, Videoland, Spotify and Prime. But many lesser-known services now also have support for the Chromecast.
✔ Operate with remote control + app
✔ Very affordable
✔ Good value for money
Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
✔ HDR 10 +
✔ Android TV
✔ Remote control
✔ Wi-Fi ac (2.4 and 5GHz)
Chromecast with Google TV
Because the device is made by Google, many tools are offered to developers to get started, so that the cast icon is often seen.
Operating a Chromecast is simple: for example, open Netflix (or another supported app) on your smartphone, tablet or PC and click on the casticon.
Then select the Chromecast and you can stream! Only with the latest version, the Chromecast with Google TV, a remote control was added, but in principle you do not need it.
In summary, the Chromecast is a device for streaming quickly and easily from your smartphone, tablet or laptop/pc to the TV or other large screen. And that for a few tenners.
More about exactly how a Chromecast works in our article about: What is casting?
? You can not only use the Chromecast to stream Netflix, YouTube or Videoland, for example, but also for gaming. You can do this with Google Stadia, Google's gaming service!
Buy Chromecast: which one should you choose
But the reason you came here is because you want to know which version of the Chromecast you should buy now.
As you have seen, at the time of writing there are three different versions available in the Netherlands and Belgium. For convenience, an overview is given below.
- Chromecast with Google TV HD (~€39)
- Chromecast with Google TV (~ €80 – €90)
- Chromecast Ultra (~$79)
The Chromecast Ultra is a bit of an odd man out: it is slowly being phased out and actually offers no added value compared to the other two models. That is why I have not taken them into account when making a choice.
Below is an overview of the most suitable model in different situations.
Chromecast with Google TV HD
The most affordable Chromecast, with all the features of its big brother. Stream in full HD and use hundreds of apps.
Features
- Stream in Full HD
- Operate via app and remote control
- Install apps
Pros and cons
Price comparison
Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
In a nutshell
The latest Chromecast with Google TV HD brings remote control and app control. A full HD image quality is offered here.
It's a good upgrade over its predecessor and thus allows apps to be installed. This makes the Chromecast with Google TV HD even more widely used.
- Streaming in full HD is sufficient
- You don't want to pay too much
- Operate via remote control, apps and Google Home
- Install apps
Chromecast with Google TV (4K)
The most affordable Chromecast, with all the features of its big brother. Stream in full HD and use hundreds of apps.
Features
- Stream in 4k (HDR10+)
- Operate via app and remote control
- Install apps
Pros and cons
Price comparison
Chromecast with Google TV
In a nutshell
The Chromecast with Google TV (also known as Chromecast 4) is the latest Chromecast and offers a number of interesting options, including streaming in 4K and remote control. If you want to buy the Chromecast with Google TV, keep the following in mind.
This is especially suitable if you…
- Want to stream in 4K (and HDR10+)
- You want an 'interface' on the TV
- Want to operate with a remote control
Chromecast (V3) – Deprecated
The Chromecast 3 has been phased out and is officially no longer made by Google.
Features
- Stream in full HD
- Operate via app
Pros and cons
Price comparison
chromecast
In a nutshell
The Google Chromecast (V3) has been a good selling product since its launch due to its particularly good price-quality ratio. With this version you can effortlessly stream all content from your smartphone, tablet or laptop to the big screen.
This is especially suitable if you…
- Streaming in full HD is sufficient
- You don't want to pay too much
- Power supply via USB on TV
- Only wants to control via apps and Google Home
Latest Chromecast: This is the latest model [2023]
If you are looking for the latest Chromecast, you can of course only make one choice. The latest Chromecast is the Chromecast with Google TV HD, which not only allows you to stream to the big screen, but also comes with a remote control. This is almost identical to the 4K version, the Chromecast with Google TV HD.
'Old' Chromecast models
A number of Chromecast models have already entered the market. The first version was launched in 2013 for the US market and later on the European mainland.
This Chromecast (H2G2-42) also had a slightly different shape, but was the start of an interesting new product group.
A few years later, the second version was announced, the NC2 6A5 Chromecast, which was on sale from 2015. In 2018 it was phased out and replaced by Chromecast V3 (GA00439).
The Chromecast Ultra (GA3A00403A14) and Chromecast with Google TV (GA01919) also appeared on the scene.
Another side step was also made to a version that focused on audio, the Chromecast Audio, which has model number RUX-J42. This is no longer for sale from 2019 and ultimately no successor has been launched.
Buying Chromecast at Action: is that possible?
If you're looking for a cheap Chromecast, you may quickly think of the Action. This price fighter offers many products for a particularly low price, including the necessary electronics such as, for example LSC SmartConnect, a smart home product line.
However, if you want to buy a Chromecast at the Action, then I have to disappoint you: that is not possible. The product is simply not in the range of the Action.
If you are looking for a cheap Chromecast, fortunately there are plenty of alternatives. If you want to use the possibilities of this small streaming dongle and do not want to pay too much, then this model is the best option.
Buying Chromecast: 5 tips
1. Bad Wi-Fi: There is a solution..
Do you have bad WiFi or do you not expect to have optimal coverage at the location of the Chromecast? Then it can be useful to purchase a so-called Ethernet adapter.
This makes it possible to connect the Chromecast to the internet via cable, so that you have a more stable (and usually faster) connection.
There are several models available, both officially through Google and from other manufacturers. An example of such an Ethernet adapter you can find it here (suitable for the 'regular' Chromecast, because it uses a micro-USB connection).
A good connection is and remains essential for optimal streaming via a Chromecast.
2. Download the Google Home app
To get started with the Chromecast that you may soon be purchasing, you need an app. This allows you to Install Chromecast. The app is available for both iOS and Android.
In addition to setting up the Chromecast, you may have more devices at home that can be connected to it. The app is basically the nerve center of all things Google Home.
3. Turn on the TV with your Chromecast
I personally find this a very useful feature and you should definitely check it out if you are going to buy a Chromecast. It is possible – provided your TV has support for this – to turn on the TV with the Chromecast. You do this by connecting the Chromecast to a suitable HDMI port.
In addition, it is required to have the Chromecast connected to the mains power. So if you have connected it to the USB port of your TV as a power supply, this function will unfortunately not work.
In any case, it is a very useful feature that I personally use quite a lot.
4. Gaming on the Chromecast
Gaming on the Google Chromecast does not immediately make sense. A device of a few tens that you can play games on and then also games with lots of graphics. Yet Google has come up with something for this: Google Stadia.
This cloud gaming service makes it possible to play (heavy) games on a Chromecast with Google TV or Chromecast Ultra in combination with a Stadia controller. These games are all streamed from Google's servers and it's actually unprecedented how smooth and low-lag that goes.
You can find more about Google Stadia, the costs and the possibilities at stay.google.com.
From January 2023 Stadia taken offline by Google.
Personalize your Chromecast
Of course you mainly use the Google Chromecast for streaming (or gaming), but you can also adjust the background when it is in standby, for example. You can choose to rotate your own photos, for example.
This so-called 'backdrop' of the Chromecast is easy to set up by using Google Photos, for example.
The Chromecast may initially seem like a small, cheap streaming device, but it's not for nothing that it has become a greatness in the field of media players.
Buy Chromecast: Finally
If you decide to connect a Chromecast, you will undoubtedly enjoy it. Things can go wrong, of course. Maybe you can't get the Chromecast set up properly, or you want a Reset Chromecast.
Because I've been using the Chromecast myself for years, I've made many handy guides with solutions for common problems. Below is a list:
- Chromecast not working? That's how you solve it
- Can't communicate with Chromecast: Here's how to fix it
- Amazon Fire TV Stick vs Chromecast: Which One Should You Choose?
- Amazon Fire TV Stick: you need to know this before you buy it
- Reset Chromecast: This is how it works (all models)
- Chromecast without WiFi: is it possible and how does it work?
- Connecting Chromecast to WiFi: this is how you do it
- Spotify via Chromecast: easily stream your audio (step-by-step plan)
